[remote or in person] Board of Education

Chicago Public Schools
Education

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024
10:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. CDT

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4655 S Dearborn St Chicago, IL 60609 (Directions)

CPS Colman Office, Auditorium

You have the option to document this meeting in person or remotely, via live stream. Please note that Chicago Board of Education meetings tend to run long (the assignment end time is an estimate based on past meetings’ duration).

If you attend the meeting in person, an additional hour will be added to your pay for this assignment. The meeting will be held at Chicago Public Schools Loop Office (42 W. Madison St., Garden Level, board room). Please note that the CPS board room frequently reaches attendee capacity, in which case overflow attendees are seated in a different room to view a video broadcast. At 48 hours before the meeting’s start, a limited number of “observer” seats are available for pre-registration at https://www.cpsboe.org/meetings.

If you plan to document remotely, the meeting will be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@ChiPubSchools/streams. The live stream may not appear until or a few minutes after the scheduled start time. If you don’t see it right away, give it a few seconds, then try refreshing your Internet tab to see if it loads. Check the “videos” tab as well.

See also: Slide decks and documents discussed during the meeting will eventually be linked at https://www.cpsboe.org/meetings/past-meetings.

Check the source website for additional information

Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team

Note-taking by Angela Ybarra

Chicago Public Schools officials reported higher rates of diversity and preparedness among teachers, along with other positive stats on the start of the new school year, though public commenters shared that funding changes and staffing cuts have left their schools scrambling.

Live reporting by Sarina Shane

Chicago Public Schools officials reported higher rates of diversity and preparedness among teachers, along with other positive stats on the start of the new school year, though public commenters shared that funding changes and staffing cuts have left their schools scrambling.

sarina @RMFITG
Hi, I’ll be live-tweeting today's CPS Board of Education meeting for #CHIdocumenters @CHIdocumenters

10:34 AM Aug 29, 2024 CDT

sarina @RMFITG 2/46
Today they are meeting at the CPS Colman Office, Auditorium. The office at Madison flooded and so they will be meeting here until it’s fixed. you can watch virally with me here: youtube.com/live/awJFVmx5y…
youtube.com/live/awJFVmx5y…
sarina @RMFITG 3/46
Board President John Xi welcome’s us back during this school year. Board members have visited 19 schools (6 hs + 13 elementary) across 14 networks to welcome students back.
sarina @RMFITG 4/46
We say goodbye to CPS Inspector General Will Fletcher who moved on as of August 23rd. The board thanks him for his service through 2020. “He served with honor and integrity” - John.
sarina @RMFITG 5/46
***Jianan Shi President not John Xi
sarina @RMFITG 6/46
Here’s the agenda . cpsboe.org/content/docume…
cpsboe.org/content/docume…
sarina @RMFITG 7/46
CPS welcomes 1100 new teachers this school year. the NTO this year also featured student voices on how to connect/develop relationships with students.
sarina @RMFITG 8/46
“It’s gratifying to see how many of our staff actually took advantage of the opportunity to keep learning. Because it should d how committed they are to doing the best work for the students and families we serve” - Bogdana Chkoumbova, Chief Education Officer
sarina @RMFITG 9/46
This year’s focus is on the student experience: rigorous, joyful, and equitable.
sarina @RMFITG 10/46
Pedro Martinaz, Chief Executive Officer, shares there are 600 more teachers in person than a year ago. That’s 2500 more than pre-pandemic. There are also 600 new support staff (counselors, CICAs, TAs).
sarina @RMFITG 11/46
58% of teachers identify as persons of color versus 38% in 2017. The Chicago Public Education Fund surveyed 24 principals about engagement and found 64% were happy compared to 54% in 2021. 58% were satisfied with PD (professional development) opportunities.
sarina @RMFITG 12/46
68% said they felt that had the resources they need to do they job effectively compared to 42% in 2023. “the direction we are going in is very encouraging” says Pedro Martinaz
sarina @RMFITG 13/46
On transportation: there are now more than 1k drivers. There are more students on route than before and ratios are still getting narrower, meaning they are closer to getting everyone on a route. The dispatch has also upped personnel.
sarina @RMFITG 14/46
the 5 Year Strategic Plan is nearly complete and should be published soon. Now we are on to committee updates.
sarina @RMFITG 15/46
Board Member Hughes shares the application progress for Student representatives is postponed until a later date in order to focus on the 22 person global district review board to be visiting.
sarina @RMFITG 16/46
Students, families, community members are still encouraged to join and participate in Special Education Advisory Committee Meetings. the next meeting is Wednesday 9/11 from 6-7:30p at Southside Occupational Academy High School. Check committee tab on website for updates.
sarina @RMFITG 17/46
you can also find office hours here: . The next agenda review committee meeting is Wednesday 9/18 at the Coleman office auditorium. Advance registration will open at 10a Monday 9/16, and will close at 10:30a on Tuesday 9/17. cpsboe.org/home
cpsboe.org/home
sarina @RMFITG 18/46
The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday 9/26 at Clemente Community Academy High School.
sarina @RMFITG 19/46
Public Comment from HS Social Studies Teacher + CTU President Stacy Davis Gates: 'Public education is an audacious group project...We can not capitulate... I’m confused on where the resistance is'
sarina @RMFITG 20/46
Public Comment from CTU Charter Division Julian: ‘Turnover is high because wages are low. Charter schools are putting money into reserves instead of classrooms'
sarina @RMFITG 21/46
Public Comment NPO Extracurricular provider (debate) from Eli K: ‘Budget cuts take away coach stipends from coaches at 100+ schools. Every dollar that CPS invests in approx. supercharged for $2 of private community investments.'
sarina @RMFITG 22/46
Public Comment NPO Extracurricular provider (debate) from Anthony Golden: “debate improves students abilities to perform in the classroom”
sarina @RMFITG 23/46
Public Comment from The Action Center on Race & the Economy (ACRE)’s ED Saqib Bhatti: ‘here to push you to take legal action on the banks that pushes CPS into predatory debt deals.’ acrecampaigns.org/campaigns/
acrecampaigns.org/campaigns/
sarina @RMFITG 24/46
Public Comment from Chicago Principals & Administrators Association’s president, Troy LaRaviere: '70% of principals do not feel that the CEO’s plan supports the safety needs or developmental needs of their students and staff. 68% say the Admin at CPS tie their hands w/mandates.'
sarina @RMFITG 25/46
***note -going to short hand public Comment to PC going forward in this thread. There are about another hour of them so I will do my best to capture the sentiment of each but may start to group.
sarina @RMFITG 26/46
PC from Staff at Inter-American Magnet School: ‘our principal has violated multiple policies and his contract' learn more about this school here - iamschicago.com/apps/staff/
iamschicago.com/apps/staff/
sarina @RMFITG 27/46
PC from Jennifer at Inter-American Magnet School: ‘many teachers are fearful of retaliation. the atmosphere has deteriorated impacting staff and students'
sarina @RMFITG 28/46
PC from Marina and Greg at Inter-American Magnet School: “As a parent I'm deeply troubled by the detrimental impact of Mr. Zayas. His policies have systematically disabled the foundation built by the previous administration."
sarina @RMFITG 29/46
Even with a grant of 25k and 13k left over from last year’s budget, they started the school year missing class room essentials (notebooks, pencils). - Marina
sarina @RMFITG 30/46
students went from 5 specials a week to 4. class sizes have increased with minimal support added. - greg
sarina @RMFITG 31/46
PC involving community engagement from Naya de la Rosa: ‘urge you to release a a draft of the 5yr plan. Let’s make joining more accessible so we can include more diverse voices.'
sarina @RMFITG 32/46
PC involving community engagement: ‘CPS communicated in writing that the 5yr strategic plan would be in partnership w/ the community. I understand the survey sent out was meant to fulfill this. However as a parent, I’ve patiently waited for the community engagement to begin.'
sarina @RMFITG 33/46
PC involving community engagement: ‘this process has lacked authentic community engagement'
sarina @RMFITG 34/46
PC involving school infrastructure: ‘the 5yr place should be taking advantage of federal funding for a healthier school free of environmental toxins. [1/2]
sarina @RMFITG 35/46
Roseabella Hernandez continues, "We want safe and nurturing environments free of toxin and debilitating effects of questioning your own self worth due to a system's negligence." [2/2]
sarina @RMFITG 36/46
the next 2 Public Comments go on to further emphasize the importance of better air quality and it’s detrimental impacts in schools.
sarina @RMFITG 37/46
People want an ability to help co-create solutions with the district instead of the current structure that only allows them to complain.
sarina @RMFITG 38/46
3 additional public comments on transportation for wheelchair users highlight the impact of the transportation cuts in their areas combining with other systematic barriers.
sarina @RMFITG 39/46
PC staff from CHIARTs: “students won’t have a normal first week until next week. In less than 48 hrs teacher had to create master schedule for the school year."
sarina @RMFITG 40/46
Despite enrollment staying the same ChiArts has cut teacher positions, lowered foundation aid, while increasing foundation admin. There are 5 full-time admin and 9 foundation admin workers. This is a CPS funded school run by an arts foundation.
sarina @RMFITG 41/46
learn more about the school here: chiarts.org
chiarts.org
sarina @RMFITG 42/46
"CPS has a responsibility to hold disorganized and irresponsible charter operators responsible when they fail to support our school community"
sarina @RMFITG 43/46
PC from Alderman David Moore of the 17th ward on CEO Martinez: ‘I’m on the side of/advocating for black children. Progress can only be made when there is stability. Mr. Matinez has made himself accessible to me and my constituents, happy to provide examples.'
sarina @RMFITG 44/46
the last PC comes from Alderman Gilbert Villegas of the 36th ward on CEO Martinez: ‘we need to give more time.'
sarina @RMFITG 45/46
Votes: The meeting minutes from July 17th were approved to be posted on the website. The minutes from the July 24th closed meeting will remain confidential.
sarina @RMFITG 46/46
The meeting shifted into a closed session circa 1:30p. It is still closed.

Agency Information

Chicago Public Schools

The Chicago Board of Education is charged with governing the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), setting policies, governing operations, and charting the direction of current and future programs.

A list of board members (with headshots) is here. Board members are currently appointed by the mayor. In 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill into law that will gradually transition to a 21-member elected school board over the course of 2024-2027.

A list of CPS executive leadership is here.

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